Selling tickets back to Ticketmaster can be a great way to get some of your money back if you can no longer attend an event you bought tickets for. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to return or sell tickets back to Ticketmaster.
Can I Return Tickets to Ticketmaster?
Yes, in many cases you can return tickets to Ticketmaster for a refund. Here are some key things to know about Ticketmaster’s return policy:
- Returns must be made prior to the event date listed on your ticket.
- Most tickets are eligible for a refund of the ticket price and service fees.
- Refunds are typically issued to the original payment method used to purchase the tickets.
- Instant download tickets and will call tickets generally cannot be returned or refunded.
- Ticketmaster sets the refund policy for each event, so some events may have different or more restrictive policies.
The exact return window varies by event, but typically you must request a refund at least 72 hours prior to event start time. Make sure to review the specific refund details for your ticket by looking up the event on Ticketmaster.
How Do I Return Tickets on Ticketmaster?
Returning tickets on Ticketmaster is a straightforward process:
- Sign in to your Ticketmaster account online or via the mobile app.
- Locate the tickets you want to return under “My Tickets.”
- Select the option to “Return” or “Refund” the tickets.
- Confirm you want to return the tickets.
- Ticketmaster will process your refund.
You’ll need to return tickets prior to the refund deadline set for that event. Make sure you pay close attention to the exact refund cutoff time.
Can I Resell My Ticketmaster Tickets?
Yes, Ticketmaster provides an online resale marketplace where you can resell event tickets you can no longer use. Here are some key things to know about reselling tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Tickets can be resold at any price you choose, above or below face value.
- Ticketmaster charges a fee to list and sell tickets through their resale platform.
- You’ll need to accept Ticketmaster’s terms and conditions to resell tickets.
- The buyer is guaranteed valid tickets for the event.
- You will receive payment after the event occurs and Ticketmaster verifies the tickets were used.
Reselling tickets through Ticketmaster provides more protection for buyers and sellers compared to other unofficial resale sites. However, you may be able to fetch a higher resale price using other platforms.
How Do I Resell Tickets on Ticketmaster?
Follow these steps to resell tickets through Ticketmaster’s safe resale marketplace:
- Sign in to your Ticketmaster account and locate the eligible tickets under “My Tickets.”
- Select the “Sell” option next to tickets you want to resell.
- Pick the quantity of tickets you want to post and the price you want to sell them for.
- Agree to Ticketmaster’s resale terms and conditions.
- Ticketmaster will list your tickets for sale on the resale platform.
- Once sold, you’ll receive payment after Ticketmaster verifies the tickets were used.
Ticketmaster’s resale platform makes it easy to offload extra tickets while providing buyer protections missing on some other sites.
What Other Options Do I Have for Reselling Tickets?
In addition to Ticketmaster’s resale exchange, you can also resell tickets through various online ticket marketplaces. Some popular options include:
- StubHub – Large ticket resale marketplace with broad event selection.
- Vivid Seats – Resale site that offers a 100% buyer guarantee on ticket authenticity.
- SeatGeek – Consolidates listings across multiple ticket sites in one search.
- Craigslist – Classified ads site where you can list tickets for local buyers.
- Facebook Marketplace – Buy and sell platform where you can list tickets.
These resale platforms generally have lower fees compared to Ticketmaster. However, they do not provide the same level of convenience, buyer guarantees, or seller protections. There is higher risk of scams and fraudulent listings.
What Should I Do If I Can No Longer Attend an Event?
If you can no longer attend an event you bought tickets for on Ticketmaster, here are your best options:
- Return the tickets for a refund – This is the best option if the event allows returns and you are within the refund window.
- Sell them on Ticketmaster – Resell through their marketplace if you are past the refund deadline. Easy and secure.
- Sell them on a ticket resale site – List your tickets with a high-volume marketplace like StubHub or VividSeats.
- Sell locally – List them on Craigslist or Facebook if you don’t mind meeting local buyers in person.
- Gift them – Give unused tickets to a friend or family member if you can’t resell.
Ideally, act quickly if you know you can’t attend so you can take advantage of the refund window. If it’s too late for a refund, reselling through a secure ticket marketplace is your next best option to recoup costs.
Should I Return or Resell Unwanted Tickets?
If your event still allows returns, returning tickets to Ticketmaster for a refund is generally the best option. Reasons to return over reselling include:
- You’ll recoup the full ticket price, not just resale value.
- No fees for listing or transactions.
- No risk of scam buyers or payments.
- Fast and easy process online.
- No need to find a buyer.
However, if the return deadline has already passed, reselling is your only option to avoid losing all the money you spent. You take on more risk selling privately or through marketplaces, but can often get more money back compared to a return.
What Are Ticketmaster’s Resale Fees?
When reselling tickets through Ticketmaster’s exchange, they charge the following fees:
Fee Type | Amount |
---|---|
Listing Fee | 15% of ticket price |
Buyer Service Fee | 10% of ticket price |
Seller Service Fee | 15% of ticket price |
Total | Up to 40% of ticket price |
These fees are deducted from the final sale price. So if you sell a $100 ticket, you would get around $60 after all Ticketmaster fees. Their fees are quite high compared to other resale sites.
Does Ticketmaster Allow Scalping?
Ticketmaster officially prohibits illegal ticket scalping activities on their platform. This includes:
- Using “bots” to buy up large volumes of tickets.
- Purchasing tickets solely for the purpose of reselling at a higher price.
- Auction-style reselling where prices dynamically increase.
However, their policies still allow everyday fans to resell extra tickets at a profit within reasonable limits. So you can legally resell tickets you can’t use at above face value. But automated scalping bots are officially banned.
Can I Sell the Same Ticket on Multiple Sites?
It is not recommended to list and sell the same ticket across multiple resale sites. This can lead to issues like:
- Double-selling the ticket if it sells on more than one marketplace.
- Disappointing buyers if tickets sell out from under them.
- Higher risk of scam attempts and payment disputes.
Ideally, pick a single reputable resale marketplace like Ticketmaster and list your tickets for sale there. Avoid listing on multiple platforms simultaneously to reduce complications.
Should I Break Up Ticket Groups to Resell?
If you purchased a group of tickets together, it may be tempting to break them up and resell them individually. However, it is usually recommended to resell full ticket groups when possible for a few reasons:
- Tickets may have seat/row restrictions that prevent breaking groups.
- Buyers often want groups of 2, 4, etc. so full groups sell faster.
- Splitting groups makes tickets harder to verify as authentic.
- Some venues restrict breaking up groups to prevent scalping.
Check the venue and event policies before splitting up groups. In most cases, it is better for both buyers and sellers to resell tickets in their original full-group purchase quantities.
What Are the Penalties for Ticket Resale Fraud?
Fraudulently reselling tickets, such as through scalping bots or duplicate listings, can lead to serious legal penalties. These include:
- Fines from regulatory agencies like the FTC or state governments.
- Lawsuits and civil damages from venues, artists, or other parties.
- Criminal charges for individuals or companies engaging in large-scale scalping.
- Getting banned or blacklisted from Ticketmaster and other ticket sellers.
Make sure to follow all applicable laws and platform policies when reselling tickets. Avoid unethical scalping practices that could lead to penalties. A few extra dollars profit isn’t worth fines or criminal prosecution.
Conclusion
Reselling unwanted tickets through Ticketmaster is a convenient and safe option for recouping costs on events you can’t attend. Make sure to act quickly and return tickets before the refund deadline when possible. If it’s too late for a refund, responsibly reselling through secure ticket exchanges is better than eating the cost of unused tickets. Follow all policies and regulations, and carefully vet buyers to avoid problems. With some prudence and planning, reselling tickets can help you regain some of your money back.